Broadcast Token Insertion for Interactive TV Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Television and radio networks face challenges in competing with the Internet as an advertising medium due to a lack of interactivity and accountability, with existing solutions only extending low-quality Internet features to TV viewing experiences and not addressing the need for a unified platform across all television distribution environments.
Innovation Solution
A data network system that includes a data stream server inserting tokens into a broadcast media stream to link broadcast content with content stored on a computer network, allowing for interactive links and requests, and utilizing a token registry and packet generator to manage and deliver these links effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If tokens are inserted into the broadcast media stream to link with computer network content, then interactivity and accountability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces tokens as intermediary elements that are inserted into the broadcast media stream. These tokens serve as mediators between the broadcast content and the computer network, enabling interactive links without requiring direct integration between the broadcast infrastructure and network protocols. The tokens act as portable identifiers that receivers can use to request additional content from the network, thus adding interactivity while maintaining independence of the broadcast system.
Solution Approach 2:
The token mechanism is designed to be universally applicable across different broadcast platforms (terrestrial, cable, satellite) and content types. The same token insertion and processing methodology works across diverse distribution environments, providing a unified interactivity solution that doesn't require platform-specific modifications. This multi-functionality approach allows the system to serve multiple purposes: advertising, emergency alerts, content supplementation, and viewer engagement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a unified platform is implemented across all television distribution environments, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the interactivity system into distinct functional segments: token generation, token insertion into the media stream, token transmission through the broadcast infrastructure, and token processing at the receiver end. This segmentation allows each component to be independently implemented and optimized for its specific broadcast platform without requiring complete system redesign. The modular approach reduces implementation complexity while maintaining unified functionality across platforms.
3Ease of manufacture
If existing technologies are extended to cable-TV environment only, then ease of manufacture is improved, but adaptability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent explicitly designs the token-based interactivity system to function across all television distribution environments including terrestrial broadcast, cable-TV, and satellite television. The methodology uses standardized broadcast protocols and universally compatible token formats that can be implemented on any platform without requiring cable-specific infrastructure. This universal design provides ease of implementation through consistent procedures while achieving broad environmental adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates, in various aspects, to systems and methods for linking content stored on a computer network with content broadcast over a television network. The system includes a database, a trigger mechanism, a communications interface, and a packet generator. The database stores tokens representative of links to the stored content and delivery information representative of at least a duration for delivering the token. The trigger mechanism indicates an instruction to deliver a token over the television network, generating a signal indicating a respective one of the stored tokens and a time for starting the delivery of the respective token. The communications interface has a channel in communication with a television set top box device for transferring the respective token to the television set top box device. The packet generator generates packets within a stream of television content to be broadcast over the television network.